Garment or ironing press



Dec. 19, E. DAVIS GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Original Filed April 12. 1927 2 SheetsSheet l E. DAVIS GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Original Filed April 12, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 19, 1933.

w [QM-UH a rnres W GARMENT R IRONING PRESS ErnestBavis, Syracuse, N. .Y., assigncr to The Prosperity Company, Inc, Syracuse, N Y, a

corporation of New York Application 51111112, 1927,: Serial Mascaras Renewed February 23, 1929 11 Claims.

lhis invention relates to pressing machines, such as garment and laundry pressing machines, and has for its object a particularly simple and eflicient mechanism for closing the press and ap- 3, plying final pressure, and particularly operating means whereby any degree of final pressure can be applied, and alsoif desired an intermittent slapping action effected.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions here- 7 inafter'set forth and claimed. In describing this'invention reierenceis had to theacccrnpanying drawings in which like characters represent corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a side elevationoi a machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the controlling means for said machine.

Figurel3 is a detail'view or" the motor mecha nismioreflecting the preliminary closing of the press, and for applying final pressure.

*Figuree is a detail plan View of. the pressure regulating control lever. w 1

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the pressure regulating valve.

Theinvention shown in this application is similar in many respects to that disclosed'in my copending application Eier. No. 181,372, which issued10ctober-23,.l928, as Patent No. 1,688,918. ThClfiiillS of the patent are directed to the mechanical construction which includes apair of motors, one of whichinay be o-per'atedto shift the other as a motion transmitting link, and fur 1 ther includes the mechanical link mechanism by which the mounting of the second motor with respect to the pressing machine frame maybe shifted toregulate the pressure exerted bythis second motor." The claims of the patent include 1 control mechanism broadly but it is immaterial insofar as the invention covered by the patent is concerned what kind of control mechanism is used, or Whether the control mechanism is provided with any means-for looking it in operated which the pressure: may be regulated by'cont'rol ling the amount of working fluid admittedto one of the motors, and the feature oftlie control mechanism by which a part ofthe control mech anisrnlocks in'o-perated position. I I-have here illustrated myinvention as embodied in a conventional type of pressing machine comprising ahead 1 movable toward and from a buck 2, Inounted upon-a suitable bracket or goose neck 3,- which in turn is mounted upon a frame 401 any suitable construction. The actuating or; power mechanism for the head 1 comprises'pres'- sure operated means and preferably apa'ii' of fluid'operated ,motors arranged to be consecutively operated. Inaddition to the motormeans;

the actuating mechanism further includes motion transmitting means, and that here illustrated consists of a lever 5, pivoted between its ends a tfl Stothe frame, and carrying the head 1 onthe forward arm thereof, a-t'oggle" including links 7 being connected to the motor 15. A counterweight 12 is' usually mounted on the" rear arm of the lever 5 and also one or more countersprings 13, 14 are connected to the rear arm ofsa'idlevr or to the-lever 11'. The press thus comprises an actuating mechanism having two step operation; first to partiallyclose the press more or less andsecond, to'more fully close the press undervarying degrees of final pressure at the option of the" operator; J 1 i I In the illustrated embodiment of my'invention, the power means also includes a second toggle,- and a fluid operated motor 21 for straightening the second toggle, and" one ofthe links of the" second toggle comprises a cylinder 15 having a piston 16 movable'thereimthe rod 170i which is pivoted at 17a to the power lever'll. r .The piston is provided with a spring pressedstemle projecting in advance thereof and telescoping into the piston rod17, this stem 16 being a valve which closes the intake port 41 in the head of the cylinder to prevent a sudden starting of the piston and also closes or partly close's'sa'id port toward the end of the exhaust stroke to cushion. the return movement of the piston;

Ther'eis another portlo whichis not valve controlled. The valve stem 16 closes or partly closes the'port ll until the pistonhas started onits power stroke and also closes the port41' as tl'ie piston approaches the end of its in or exhaust stroke. During the finishing of the exhaust stroke the-air. exhausts through the p'OrtP IB L This stem 16 and ports i1 of this invention.

and 16 form no part exhaust valve 32.

has been pressed, the exhaust valve 32 will be. closed and the intake valve 31 opened permitting 18 is the other link of the toggle of which the cylinder is a part, the link 18 being mounted on shaft 19 carried by the frame, and at 20 pivoted to the head of thecylinder 15. The fluid operated motor for straightening the toggle consisting of the link 18 and the cylinder 15 comprises a cylinder 21 having a piston 22 movable therein, the cylinder being pivoted at 23 to the frame, and the piston having its rod 24 pivoted at 25 to a rock arm 26 mounted on the shaft 19 on which the link 18 is mounted. When'motive fluid as compressed air is let into the upper end of the cylinder 15, the piston '16 is actuated and the motion thereof transferred through the parts 11, 8, 7 and 5 to bring the head 1 down onto the buck 2, but/without pressure or without very much pressure. Thereafter when the motive fluid, as compressed air, is let into the cylinder 21, the piston 22'is actuated to straighten the toggle consisting of the link 18, cylinder 15 and thus apply final pressure. The degree of final pressure applied is controlled by the manually operable pressure regulating I valve to be presently described, and the pressure can be alternately applied and relieved to effect a slappingaction by a valve mechanism to be presently described.

The means for controlling the flow of fluid to and from the cylinder 15 may be of any suitable form, size and'construction, and the construction thereof forms no part of this invention. The valves, for controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from the cylinders are so arranged that the valve for controlling the fiow of fluid to the motor which effects the final pressure is in series I with the valve which eflects the preliminary closing of the .press whereby the valve which effects the preliminary closing of the press must be first operated. Also, the regulating valve 53 is in the feed line between the cylinders and controls the building up of pressure in the second cylinder 21 after the pressure in the first cylinder 16 is actuated. 1

The valve means here shown includes a valve casing 28 suitably carried by a bracket on the frame, and connected at one end to a supply pipe 29, which usually has a manually operable cut-off valve 30 therein, a normally closed intake or shut off valve 31 in the casing 28, and also a normally open exhaust valve 32, these valves being connected by a stem 33 whereby they act as a unit, and manually operable mechanism for operating the valve to close the exhaust valve 32, and open the intake valve 31. The intake valve is held closed by a suitable spring 34. The operating means for the valves includes a manually operable, element as a button 35 movable in a suitable guide 36, and acting upon one arm of a lever 37, the other arm of which acts on a second lever 38, which presses against a stem 39 of the Obviously when the button 35 air to enter the valve casing 28 from the pipe 29 past the intake valve 31 and out through the pipe 40 "which opens into the casing 28 bethat the pressure within the cylinder passes out through a pipe 43 to a diaphragm chamber 44 having a diaphragm 45 therein, which acts on a sliding stem 46,the latter acting upon the lever 38. Thus when the piston 16 completes its power stroke, the intake valve 31 is held open and the exhaust valve 32 held closed by the pressure through the pipe 43 to the diaphragm valve 44. In order to relieve the pressure in the cylinder 15 to open the press, the pressure is exhausted from the diaphragm chamber by operating a normally closed exhaust valve 47, located in a casing 48 and having a handle 49 located near the button 35, this handle 49 acting on a stem 50 of the exhaust valve 47. The valve 47 is pressed against its seat by a spring 51 and the valve casing 48 is connected to the pressure side of the diaphragm chamber 44 by a pipe 52. Obviously as the exhaust valve 47 is opened by operating the handle 49, the pressure in the diaphragm chamber 44 will be released permitting the spring 34 to close the intake valve 31 and open the exhaust valve 32, so that the pressure is free to exhaust from the cylinder back through the pipe 40, valve casing 28 and out through an exhaust passage 28a.

53 designates a pressure regulating valve which may be of any suitable form, size and construction. This is suitably supported by the frame as shown in Figure 2 and controls the pressure from the feed pipe 29 to the cylinder 21. It is operated by a manually movable handle 54 and the flow of motive fluid is controlled by a shut off valve carried by the handle 54. This valve is similar to the valve consisting of the casing 28 and combined intake and exhaust valve 31 and 32, and it comprises a casing 55 carried by the handle 54 having a normally closed intake valve 56 therein, a normally open exhaust valve 57 which is connected by a stem 58 to the intake valve 56, a spring 59 acting on the intake valve to hold it closed, and a manually operable memher as a lever 60 pivoted at 61 to the handle, and acting upon a stem 62 of the exhaust valve 57, the lever 60 being arranged to be operated by the fingers of the same hand which operates the lever 54. When the valves 56, 57 are in normal position the air is free to exhaust fromthe cylinder 21 through pipe 21 casing 55 and space 57 The valve casing 55 is connected to the intake pipe 29 through the pressure regulating valve 53 by a pipe 63. The casing 55 is connected to the cylinder 21 by a flexible pipe or hose 21 connected to a nozzle 21 on casing 55. In order that the valve mechanism operated by the button 35 must be first operated to eifect the preliminary closing of the press before the final pressure lever is operated, the pressure regulating valve 53 is connected in the pipe 29 in series with the valve casing 28, and as here shown the pressure regulating valve 53 is connected by a pipe 64 to the pipe 40.

The pressure regulating valve is shown in Figure 5; A valve 80 separates the chambers inthe valve casing which communicates with the pipes 64 and 63 respectively. The valve 80 is normally held in open position by a spring 82 which is much stronger than a spring '84 which urges the valve 80 into closed position. A diaphragm 86 is connected with the valve 80 and with the spring 82. Pressure in the pipe 63, and the valve chamber communicating therewith, acts against thelower side of the diaphragm 86, through an orifice 88.

vWhen the pressure against the bottom of the.

tdiaphragmwfi 1 reaches a predetermined degree,

gwhenthe pressure in the pipe 63, and the :valvevchamber in communication 2 therewith,

-drops'bel'owa predetermined degree, the reduction;-in pressure against the lower side of the vdiaphragm 86 will permit the spring 82 to move thediaphragm 8 6, downwardly and open the valve8,0 sothat working fluid in the pipe 64 may ;;flow,,past the valve 80- and out through the pipes-63;

,to close may-be regulated by adjusting the ten- The pressure which will cause the valve 80 sion ofathe spring 82. This adjustment in the tension of-the spring 82 is made by moving the handle 54 which rotates an adjustment member ,-90,"threaded in the top of the casing of the re- :wpresseswagainst the upper end of the spring 82 du'cing valve 53, and having a flange 92 which andmaintains the: spring 82 under tension. It

to 'closethe valve 80. This construction of the forms'no part ofthe present invention.

*From the foregoing, it is apparent that the cylinder and piston 16 serve as a connecting rod or link forming part of "the motion transmit- -ti ng.mechanism-when the press is being closed by-the action of the' piston 22 in the cylinder 21.

Thatythe valves 31," 32 which are operated by vthepush button35 are operator operated means for controlling the flow of motive fluid to the :cylinders from the-feed line 29 and owingto the arrangement of the pipes and 64, the first "and second-cylinders 13 and 21 are connected ;in series-so that owing to the regulating valve -53 the motive fluid passes-first to the cylinder 15 to actuatethe'piston therein and then'to the cylinder21, the regulating valve controlling, or "retarding as much" as'desired, the building up of the pressure in the cylinder 21.

The diaphragm chamber 44,-pipe 43 and port 42 constitute timed meansfor locking the valves operatedby the push :button 35 in their operated position, the timing being effected by'themovement' of the piston 16" or the closing of the press. steel by ithelev'er control the flow of motive The valves operfluid from the regulating valve to. the second :cylinder- 21. i

In 1 operation the operatorfirst preliminarily closes the press by depressing the button .35

and hol'ding it depressed until the piston16 uncovers the-port 42, and thentoapply any degree vof final pressure the operator m'oves the lever 54'to any desired position While operatingthe .valvehandle 60, which controls the flow of fluid to the-cylinder 21.

The operator can readily determine by the feel of the machine how much pressure is required, and can easily regulate the pressure by moving 'the handle 54.

f In: order to control the amount ofpressure,

closed by, theaction of the piston lfizandribefore the actuation of the piston 22 in "the second cylinder 21,, the work inlay'beutreatedv "in the usualmanner bycpassing a fluid therethrough;

If desired to: effect a 'slapping "action ons thel goods the lever 60 is rapidly operated or tickled causing final pressureto' bexrapidly, alternately released'andapplied. To open the press, the

operator -.merely operates the" handle349: permitting air to exhaust from the cylinder 15: and a'lsofi,

from the pressure regulatingva'lve "and" the valve chamber. 55.

.What I claim is:-- i

1. A pressing machine including' cooperating I pressing elements, one of-which"is movable'to-3ti90 a pressure regulating valve, a handle for? '0per-- ating said valve, 9. shutroff valveior"cuttingoff the flowof motive fluid to the motor, and a-secend handle carried by'the flrst 'handle for-operating the shut ofi valve. H

2. A;pressing' machinei.including cooperatingpressing elements, one-ofxwhich ismov'able toward'and from the other,power 'mechanismfor actuating the movable element tof apply heavy pressure comprising a: toggle, a fluid operated motor for, straightening the toggle, aisupplyconduit system for supplying motive fluid to the motor, a manually operable pressure regulating valve connected in said systemfor'controlling the flow of motive fluid to the 'motor, a handlefor'rsaid valve, and means for controlling the flowof motive fluid from theregulating valve 'including a valve, a handle for "operating the "last -valve-tear.- riedby the former handle. v l

3. A pressing machine including cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and vfrom the other,"power m'echanismfor actuating the movable element including a-"toggle, one link of which comprises a'cylinder' and a piston movable in the cylinder,power'mechanism for straighteningthe toggle including a pressure operated motor, means for controllingthe flow of -motive fluid ;to and from the'cylindeigfand means for controllingv the new of'motivefluidto and fromthe motor. comprising a pressureregulating valve having ahandle foroperating it, and means for controlling the flow*ofmo'tive fluid to the motor including a valve, and a handle for operating the last valve.

4. A pressing machine'-includingcooperating pressingelements, one of which is movable toward and. from the other, powermechanism for actuating the movable element 'includinga toggle, one link of' which comprises a-cylinder and not a. piston movable in'thecylinder; powenmchanism for straightening the toggle including a pressure operated motor, a con'duit sy'stemfor a motive fluid including a motive fluid supply line, means for con'trollingtheflow'ofmotive fluid through the system to and 'from the'cylinder' including a manually operable valve "connected with the moti'vefluid supplypipe'and"withisaid system, andflmeans' for controlling the flow of motive fluid from the conduit s'ystemto the'motor including a pressure .regulating' valve connected in the system and having mhandlefor operating itga shutoff valve connected'in the system and arranged to control the flow: of 'mo tive fluid therethrough to 'the motor; the shutoff valve also having a handle,'the shutoff valve and the :pressure regulating rvalvei-being connected in the system between the motor. and the first mentioned valve.

5. In a garment or laundry pressing machine, cooperating pressing elements, one'of which is movable toward and from the other, mechanism for actuating the movable element including a cylinder, a piston movable in the cylinder, a second cylinder and piston therein connected to the first cylinder to actuate the first cylinder and piston as a unit, a feed line for a motive fluid, piping connecting the feed line to the first cylinder and having a branch connecting it to the second cylinder whereby. the motive fluid flows to the first and second cylinders, a first 'operater-operated valve means in said pipe for controlling the flow of motive fluid through the piping and the branch, a pressure regulating valve in the branch leading to the second cylinder, and a second operator-operated valve means in the branch for controlling the flow of motive fluid from the pressure regulating valve to the second cylinder.

6. In a garmentor laundry pressing machine, cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other, mechanism for actuating the movable element including a cylinder, a piston movable in the cylinder, a

second cylinder and piston therein connected to the first cylinder to actuate the first cylinder and piston as a unit, a feed line for a motive fluid, piping connecting the feed line to the first cylinder and having a branch connecting it to the second cylinder whereby the motive fluid flows to the first and second cylinders, a first operator-operated valve means in said piping for controlling the flow of motive fluid through the piping and the branch, means controlled by the operation of the machine by the first cylinder and piston for locking said first operator-operated valve means in its operated position, release means for the locking means, a pressure regulating valve in the branch leading to the second cylinder, and second operator-operated valve means in the branch for controlling the flow of motive fluid from the regulating valve to the second cylinder.

7. In a garment or laundry pressing machine cooperating pressing'elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other to close and open the press; mechanism for actuating the movable element including a cylinder, a piston movable in the cylinder, motion transmitting members between the cylinder and the movable pressing element, a second cylinder having a piston therein, connecting means between the second cylinder and the first cylinder through which the second cylinder actuates the first cylinder and piston as a unit; a feed line for a motive fluid including a conduit system connecting the first and second cylinders; a pressure regulating valve in the conduit system between the cylinders; normally closed operator-operated valve means for controlling the flow of motive fluid to and from the first and second cylinders; means controlled by movement of the actuating mechanism into closed position for locking the valve means in its operated position, and a manually operated valve in the feed line to the second cylinder for controlling the flow of motive fluid from the regulating valve to the second cylinder.

8. In a garment or laundry pressing machine, cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the other to close and open the press; motor means for actuating the movable element including a first and second cylinder and piston motor to close the press and apply heavy pressure respectively, a feedline for a motive fluid with connections tothe cylinders through which the motive fluid passes to the first and second cylinders; a valve in the line leading to the second cylinder for regulating the degree of working fluid pressure supplied to the second motor; operator-operated valve means in the feed line for controlling the flow'of fluid to the first cylinder and the regulating valve; means controlled by the movement of v the actuating mechanism into closed press position for locking the operator-operated means in its operated position; means for releasing the locking means; and a second operator-operated valve in the line leading to the second cylinder for controlling the flow of motive fluid from the regulating valve to the second cylinder. 7 9. In a garment or laundry pressing machin cooperating pressing elements, one of which ismovable toward and from the other to close and open the press; motor means for'actuating the movable element including a flrst'and second cylinder and piston motor to close the press and apply heavy pressure respectively; a feed line for a motive fluid with connections to the cylinders through which the motive fluid passes to the first and second cylinders; a valve in the line leading to the second cylinder for regulating the degree of working fluid pressure supplied to the second motor; operator-operated valve means in the feed line for controlling the flow of fluid to the first cylinder and the regulating valve; a handle for operating the regulating valve to vary the pressure supplied by said valve; a manually operated valve in the feed line'to the secondcylinder for controlling the flow of fluid from the regulating valve to the second cylinder; and a handle for the last named valve carried by the handle of the regulating valve.

10. In a garment or laundry pressing machine cooperating pressing elements, one of which is movable toward and from the otherto -close and open the press; mechanism for actuating the movable element including a cylinder a piston movable in the cylinder, motion transmitting members between the cylinder and the movable controlled by movement of the actuating mechanism into closed position for locking the valve means in its operated position, and a manually operated combined intake and exhaust valve in the feed line to the second cylinder operable into one position to admit motive fluid from the regulating valve to the second cylinder and operable into another position to exhaust the motive fluid from the second cylinder.

11. In a garment or laundry pressing machine, cooperating pressing elements. one of which is movable toward 'and'from the other to close and open the press; motor means for actuating'the movable element including a first and second cylinder and piston motor to close the press and apply heavy pressure respectively, a feed line for a motive fluid with connections to. the cylinders through which the motive fluid passes to the first and second cylinders; a valve in the line leading to the second cylinder for regulating the degree of Working fluid pressure supplied to the second motor; operator-operated valve means in the feed line for controlling the flow of fluid to the first cylinder and the regulating valve; means controlled by the movement of the actuating mechanism into closed press position for looking the operator-operated means in its operated position; means for releasing the locking means, I

second cyl- 

